The US dollar, Chinese yuan, British pound and Argentine peso have been quick to feed geopolitical tensions into wider markets. As political dramas unfold, fast-moving currency markets will continue to release value for shrewd investors.

7 Sep 2019 - 4:37AM

The US dollar, Chinese yuan, British pound and Argentine peso have been quick to feed geopolitical tensions into wider markets. As political dramas unfold, fast-moving currency markets will continue to release value for shrewd investors.

Whatever the intended impact of the latest tariff threat and the designation of China as a currency manipulator, the US moves are sure to disrupt the global economy and inflict pain beyond their target. Under such conditions, market volatility is a given.

10 Aug 2019 - 4:38AM

Whatever the intended impact of the latest tariff threat and the designation of China as a currency manipulator, the US moves are sure to disrupt the global economy and inflict pain beyond their target. Under such conditions, market volatility is a given.

An inverted yield curve typically precedes a worsening economic outlook, even a recession. But this time, as yield on 10-year Treasuries dipped below that on the three-month bills, many other factors were at play. There’s no guarantee a recession will follow.

31 May 2019 - 10:20PM

An inverted yield curve typically precedes a worsening economic outlook, even a recession. But this time, as yield on 10-year Treasuries dipped below that on the three-month bills, many other factors were at play. There’s no guarantee a recession will follow.

Expectations of risks are often more important than the risks themselves. Investors should remember that, in reality, the US-China trade war is far from over, and the Fed’s softer policy on rates may change later this year.

15 Mar 2019 - 10:31PM

Expectations of risks are often more important than the risks themselves. Investors should remember that, in reality, the US-China trade war is far from over, and the Fed’s softer policy on rates may change later this year.

In trying to balance the need to support the economy with the need to control systemic risks, Beijing is using a mix of monetary and fiscal measures that investors should watch closely to gauge the health of the economy.

15 Feb 2019 - 10:26PM

In trying to balance the need to support the economy with the need to control systemic risks, Beijing is using a mix of monetary and fiscal measures that investors should watch closely to gauge the health of the economy.

2018 was a tough year for investors grappling with market sentiments that were persistently more pessimistic than actual conditions. Policy decisions and political tensions will continue to matter in 2019.

4 Jan 2019 - 10:22PM

2018 was a tough year for investors grappling with market sentiments that were persistently more pessimistic than actual conditions. Policy decisions and political tensions will continue to matter in 2019.

The sudden dip in prices in October after steady increases all year was due not to changes to the fundamentals, but to new expectations. Markets move on investors’ risk perceptions, even if they’re not based on reality.

16 Nov 2018 - 10:19PM

The sudden dip in prices in October after steady increases all year was due not to changes to the fundamentals, but to new expectations. Markets move on investors’ risk perceptions, even if they’re not based on reality.

A currency war would be the result of a conscious decision by central banks to lower the values of their currencies to give them an edge over their trading partners. What we’re seeing instead is a renminbi driven down by concerns over trade and an unexpectedly strong dollar.

10 Aug 2018 - 10:31PM

A currency war would be the result of a conscious decision by central banks to lower the values of their currencies to give them an edge over their trading partners. What we’re seeing instead is a renminbi driven down by concerns over trade and an unexpectedly strong dollar.

Hopes that Washington and Beijing could resolve their trade disagreement have to be put on hold as June negotiations have shown little progress, and the possibility of punitive tariffs remains a reality.

8 Jun 2018 - 11:08PM

Hopes that Washington and Beijing could resolve their trade disagreement have to be put on hold as June negotiations have shown little progress, and the possibility of punitive tariffs remains a reality.